Stackable container system and method

ABSTRACT

A food storage system comprising a bottom receptacle, a plurality of stackable containers, a handle configured to extend over a topmost one of the plurality of stackable containers, and a fastening mechanism having a bottom end coupled to the bottom receptacle and a top end coupled to the top lid. A length of the fastening mechanism is adjustable so that a spacing between the bottom receptacle and the handle is adjustable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/865,098 filed on Jun. 21, 2019 and which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosed technology relates generally to portable food storagesystems, and more particularly, some embodiments relate to portable foodstorage systems having stackable containers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Tiffin carriers are a kind of stacked lunch box used widely in Asia.Normally, a tiffin carrier has from two to four tiers of stacked foodcontainers. The bottom tier, sometimes larger than the others, iscommonly used for rice.

Tiffin carriers are usually opened by unlocking a small catch on eitherside of the handle, which is located above the top tier. The foodcontainers are generally made out of steel or aluminum, but enamel andplastic versions are also known.

Tiffin carriers have not seen wide adoption in the United States, partlybecause existing tiffin carriers are not adjustable or are not easilyadjustable. Some existing tiffin carriers require a food container to beplaced in all available tiers, and thus are not adjustable. Otherexisting tiffin carriers require each food container to be individuallyfastened to the food containers in adjoining tiers, which makes assemblyand disassembly of the tiffin carrier difficult.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS

The present disclosure relates generally to portable food storagesystems. There are situations in which a user of a portable food storagesystem would benefit from a portion-controlled, healthier way to eat onthe go.

According to various embodiments of the disclosed technology, there isdisclosed a portable food storage system comprising portion-sizedcontainers that can be stacked on top of each other and secured by anadjustable ratcheting mechanism, making it easy to transportmicrowavable meals and other foods.

Various embodiments of the disclosed technology are directed to systemsthat provide portable food storage and portion control. In someembodiments, the system may comprise a plurality of food containers, aplurality of lids, a bottom receptacle, and a fastening mechanism. Thesystem may employ a plurality of food containers that can be stacked andthat can also be optionally connected by a fastening mechanism, allowinga user to carry and transport multiple containers.

In one embodiment, each food container has a rib projecting outwardlyfrom the sidewall of the food container, allowing the food containers tobe nested and stacked together in different arrangements fortransportation, storage and/or organization. In another embodiment, thebottom floor of each food container has a sunken central portion and araised perimeter portion surrounding the sunken central portion. Thesunken central portion is configured to nest inside a recessed centralportion of a lid of an adjacent food container, while the raisedperimeter portion rests upon a raised rim portion of the lid of theadjacent food container.

In one embodiment, top lid has a handle on its top surface and anengaging mechanism on either its side wall or in the handle for afastening mechanism that connects to the bottom receptacle of thesystem. The handle of the top lid allows for easy transportation of thesystem. The fastening mechanism includes a linear rack with a pluralityof teeth or holes, a pivotable finger for engaging the linear rack, anda release mechanism.

According to an embodiment of the disclosed technology, the food storagesystem comprises a bottom receptacle, a plurality of stackablecontainers, a top lid configured to cover a topmost one of the pluralityof stackable containers, and a fastening mechanism having a bottom endcoupled to the bottom receptacle and a top end coupled to the top lid. Abottommost one of the plurality of stackable containers may beconfigured to be at least partially received within the bottomreceptacle. A length of the fastening mechanism may be adjustable sothat a spacing between the bottom receptacle and the top lid isadjustable.

In one embodiment, each of the plurality of stackable containerscomprises a floor having a perimeter and a convex central portion, afirst sidewall extending upwardly from the perimeter of the floor, acollar projecting outwardly from a top portion of the first sidewall,and a second sidewall extending upward from an outer portion of thecollar. The convex central portion is raised relative to the perimeterof the floor. The collar may define a ledge above the top portion of thefirst sidewall. The floor of a first one of the plurality of stackablecontainers may be configured to rest upon the ledge of a second one ofthe plurality of stackable containers when the plurality of stackablecontainers are stacked together. The lid of the second container may beconfigured to fit within the floor of the first container.

In a particular embodiment, each of the plurality of stackablecontainers further comprises a rib projecting outward from the firstsidewall, below the collar. The rib of the first one of the plurality ofstackable containers may be configured to rest upon a top portion of thesecond sidewall of the second one of the plurality of stackablecontainers when the plurality of stackable containers are stackedtogether.

In another embodiment, each of the plurality of stackable containerscomprises a floor having a perimeter portion and a concave centralportion. A sidewall may extend upwardly from the perimeter portion ofthe floor. The concave central portion is sunken relative to theperimeter portion of the floor, which surrounds the concave centralportion. The concave central portion may be configured to fit within arecessed central portion of the lid of an adjacent container, while theperimeter portion rests upon a rim portion of the lid of the adjacentcontainer.

In one embodiment, the top lid comprises a handle, a ceiling having aperimeter, a sidewall extending downward from the perimeter of theceiling, a ledge extending outward from the sidewall to engage a releasemechanism, and a projection extending outward from the sidewall toengage the top end of the fastening mechanism.

In another embodiment, the fastening mechanism comprises a firstfastening portion having a bottom end coupled to the bottom receptacleand a top end pivotably coupled to the top lid, as well as a secondfastening portion opposite the first fastening portion and having abottom end coupled to the bottom receptacle and a top end removablycouplable to the top lid. The top lid may comprise a handle. The top endof the first fastening portion may be pivotably coupled to one end ofthe handle, while the top end of the second fastening portion maycomprise a pivotable finger that removably couples the top end of thesecond fastening portion to an opposite end of the handle. The top endof the second fastening portion may further comprise a release mechanismconfigured to pivot the pivotable finger out of engagement with thehandle so that the top lid can be pivoted away from the second fasteningportion.

In one embodiment, the food storage system further comprises a pluralityof internal lids. Each of the internal lids may comprise a rim portionand a concave central portion having a tab connection between opposingsides of the lid. The tab connection of a first one of the plurality ofinternal lids may rest upon a bottom portion of the stackable containerabove it.

In another embodiment, each of the internal lids may comprise a rimportion and a sunken central portion. The sunken central portion may beconfigured to receive a bottom portion of an immediately adjacentcontainer.

In one embodiment, the fastening mechanism may comprise a linear rackcomprising a plurality of teeth, a pivotable finger having an anchor forengaging the teeth of the linear rack, and a release mechanism forreleasing the anchor from the teeth of the linear rack. The linear rackmay allow movement of the pivotable finger in only one direction whenthe anchor is engaged with the teeth.

In a particular embodiment, each of the plurality of teeth of the linearrack has an oblique surface and a substantially horizontal surface. Thesubstantially horizontal surface may prevent movement of the pivotablefinger in a direction that would increase the length of the fasteningmechanism when the anchor is engaged with the teeth of the linear rack.

In another particular embodiment, the linear rack further comprises twosidewalls facing each other on opposite sides of the plurality of teeth.

In an additional particular embodiment, the pivotable finger has anoblique surface and a substantially horizontal surface at one end. Thesubstantially horizontal surface prevents movement of the pivotablefinger in a direction that would increase the length of the fasteningmechanism when the anchor is engaged with the teeth of the linear rack.

In a further particular embodiment, the fastening mechanism furthercomprises a housing having a hollow interior for receiving at least aportion of the linear rack and at least a portion of the pivotablefinger, a recess for receiving a projection extending outward from thetop lid, and a pivotable catch for releasably engaging the projectionwhen the projection is received within the recess. The release mechanismmay be configured to release both the pivotal finger from the teeth ofthe linear rack and the catch from the projection.

In a further particular embodiment, the release mechanism comprises aspring-biased button. The spring-biased button may comprise a torsionspring and may be configured to pivot both the pivotable finger and thepivotable catch when pressed.

In another embodiment, the fastening mechanism may comprise a linearrack comprising a plurality of holes, a pivotable finger having ananchor engaging the holes of the linear rack, and a release mechanismfor releasing the anchor from the holes of the linear rack. The holes ofthe linear rack may prevent linear movement of the pivotable finger whenthe anchor is engaged in one of the plurality of holes.

In a particular embodiment, the linear rack further comprises twosidewalls facing each other on opposite sides of the plurality of holes.

In another particular embodiment, the fastening mechanism furthercomprises a finger housing having a hollow interior for receiving atleast a portion of the pivotable finger. The finger housing may be sizedto fit between the two sidewalls of the linear rack and configured toslide with respect to the linear rack. The fastening mechanism can beshortened or lengthened by sliding the finger housing with respect tothe linear rack.

In an additional particular embodiment, the handle has an opening forreceiving a projection extending outwardly from the finger on anopposite end of the finger from the anchor. The handle may further havea catch positioned near the opening for releasably engaging theprojection when the projection is received in the opening. The releasemechanism may be configured to release both the anchor from the holes ofthe linear rack and the projection from the catch.

In a further particular embodiment, the release mechanism comprises aspring-biased button configured to pivot both the anchor and theprojection about a central pivot when pressed.

In one embodiment, the bottom end of the fastening mechanism ispivotably attached to the bottom receptacle.

In one embodiment, the fastening mechanism comprises a first fasteningportion having a bottom end coupled to the bottom receptacle and a topend pivotably coupled to the top lid, as well as a second fasteningportion opposite the first fastening portion and having a bottom endcoupled to the bottom receptacle and a top end removably couplable tothe top lid. The first fastening portion may comprise a linear rackcomprising a plurality of teeth and a pivotable finger comprising ananchor at a first end for engaging the teeth of the linear rack. Thepivotable finger may further comprise a tab at a second end, oppositethe first end, for pivoting the pivotable finger about an axis andreleasing the anchor from the teeth of the linear rack.

In an additional embodiment, the fastening mechanism comprises a firstfastening portion having a bottom end coupled to the bottom receptacleand a top end pivotably coupled to the top lid, as well as a secondfastening portion opposite the first fastening portion and having abottom end coupled to the bottom receptacle and a top end removablycouplable to the top lid. The first fastening portion may comprise alinear rack comprising a plurality of holes and a pivotable fingercomprising an anchor at a first end for engaging the holes of the linearrack. The handle may comprise a projection configured to engage a secondend of the pivotable finger, opposite the first end, for pivoting thepivotable finger about an axis and releasing the anchor from the holesof the linear rack when the handle is pivoted with respect to the firstfastening portion.

Other features and aspects of the disclosed technology will becomeapparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, thefeatures in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed technology. Thesummary is not intended to limit the scope of any inventions describedherein, which are defined solely by the claims attached hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The technology disclosed herein, in accordance with one or more variousembodiments, is described in detail with reference to the followingfigures. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only andmerely depict typical or example embodiments of the disclosedtechnology. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader'sunderstanding of the disclosed technology and shall not be consideredlimiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability thereof. It should benoted that, for clarity and ease of illustration, these drawings are notnecessarily made to scale.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of food storage system having four foodcontainers, in accordance with one embodiment of the technologydescribed herein.

FIG. 2 is a left elevational view of the food storage system shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a right elevational view of the food storage system shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the food storage system shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the food storage system shown inFIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the food storage system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the food storage system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a food storage system having three foodcontainers, in accordance with one embodiment of the technologydescribed herein.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a food storage system having two foodcontainers, in accordance with one embodiment of the technologydescribed herein.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the food storage system shown inFIG. 1, taken along the line A-A shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of a food storage system having four foodcontainers, in accordance with one embodiment of the technologydescribed herein.

FIG. 12A is a left side elevational view of a food storage system havingfour food containers, in accordance with another embodiment of thetechnology described herein.

FIG. 12B is a rear elevational view of the food storage system shown inFIG. 12A.

FIG. 12C is a perspective view of the food storage system shown in FIG.12A.

FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a top lid for a food storage system,in accordance with one embodiment of the technology described herein.

FIG. 13B is a right elevational view of the top lid shown in FIG. 13A.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an internal lid for a food storagesystem, in accordance with one embodiment of the technology describedherein.

FIG. 15A is a perspective view of a stackable food container for a foodstorage system, in accordance with one embodiment of the technologydescribed herein.

FIG. 15B is a top plan view of the stackable food container shown inFIG. 15A.

FIG. 15C is a cross-sectional view of the stackable food container shownin FIG. 15A, taken along the line A-A shown in FIG. 15E.

FIG. 15D is a detailed view of FIG. 15C, showing a collar and a ribprojecting outwardly from the sidewall of the stackable food container.

FIG. 15E is a side elevational view of the stackable food containershown in FIG. 15A.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a bottom receptacle for a food storagesystem, in accordance with one embodiment of the technology describedherein.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a linear rack for a fastening mechanismof a food storage system, in accordance with one embodiment of thetechnology described herein.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a housing for a fastening mechanism ofa food storage system, in accordance with one embodiment of thetechnology described herein.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a pivotable finger for a fasteningmechanism of a food storage system, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe technology described herein.

FIG. 20 is a cut-away side elevational view of a food storage systemshow details of the fastening mechanism, in accordance with oneembodiment of the technology described herein.

The figures are not exhaustive and do not limit the disclosure or thedisclosed embodiments to the precise form disclosed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the technology disclosed herein are directed towarddevices and methods for providing portable food storage. Moreparticularly, the various embodiments of the technology disclosed hereinrelate to portable food storage systems having stackable containers.

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth to provide a fuller understanding of various aspects of thepresent disclosure. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in theart, however, that various aspects of the present disclosure may bepracticed without some of these specific details. In other instances,well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail toavoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure.

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1-7thereof, there are shown various views of a food storage system 30comprising a bottom receptacle or base 6, four stackable food containers19, a top lid or cover 7 configured to cover a topmost one of theplurality of stackable food containers 19 and having a handle 1, a reartelescopic fastening mechanism 4, and a front telescopic fasteningmechanism 5. The rear telescopic fastening mechanism 4 has a bottom end23 pivotably coupled to the bottom receptacle 6 and a top end 24pivotably coupled to the handle 1. The front telescopic fasteningmechanism 5 has a bottom end 25 pivotably coupled to the bottomreceptacle 6 and a top end 26 removably couplable to the handle 1. Abottommost one of the plurality of stackable food containers 19 isconfigured to be at least partially received within the bottomreceptacle 6. A length of the rear telescoping fastening mechanism 4 andthe front telescoping fastening mechanism 5 is adjustable so that aspacing between the bottom receptacle 6 and the top lid 7 is adjustable.

Because the spacing between the bottom receptacle 6 and the top lid 7 isadjustable, different numbers of stackable food containers 19 can beplaced in the food storage system. With reference to FIG. 8, the foodstorage system is shown having the spacing between the bottom receptacle6 and the top lid 7 adjusted to be smaller than shown in FIGS. 1-5, sothat only three stackable food containers 19 are placed in the foodstorage system. With reference to FIG. 9, the food storage system isshown having the spacing between the bottom receptacle 6 and the top lid7 adjusted to be even smaller than shown in FIG. 8, so that only twostackable food containers 19 are placed in the food storage system.

With reference to FIG. 10, there is shown a cross-sectional view of thefood storage system 30, taken along the line A-A shown in FIG. 6. Asshown in FIG. 10, each of the plurality of stackable containers 19comprises a floor 27 having a perimeter portion 28 and a concave centralportion 29. A sidewall 31 extends upwardly from the perimeter portion 28of the floor 27. The concave central portion 29 is sunken relative tothe perimeter portion 28, which surrounds the concave central portion29. The concave central portion 29 is configured to fit within arecessed central portion 32 of the lid 16 of an adjacent food container19, while the perimeter portion 28 rests upon a rim portion 33 of thelid 16 of the adjacent container 19.

The rear telescopic fastening mechanism 4 has a bottom end 23 pivotablycoupled to the bottom receptacle 6 and a top end 24 pivotably coupled tothe handle 1. The front telescopic fastening mechanism 5 is locatedopposite the rear telescopic fastening mechanism 4 and has a bottom end25 pivotably coupled to the bottom receptacle 6 and a top end 26removably couplable to the handle 1 via a front locking mechanism orfinger 13. Thus, the top end 24 of the rear telescopic fasteningmechanism 4 is pivotably coupled to one end of the handle 1, while thetop end 26 of the front telescopic fastening mechanism 5 comprises apivotable finger 13 that removably couples the top end 26 of the fronttelescopic fastening mechanism 5 to an opposite end of the handle 1. Thehandle 1 comprises a release mechanism 2 configured to pivot thepivotable finger 13 out of engagement with the handle 1 so that the toplid 7 can be pivoted away from the front telescopic fastening mechanism5.

Each of the internal lids 16 comprises a rim portion 33 and a sunken orrecessed central portion 32. The recessed central portion 32 isconfigured to receive a concave central portion 29 of an immediatelyadjacent food container 19. Each of the internal lids 16 furthercomprises a rubber gasket 17 to assist with sealing the food containers19.

With reference to FIG. 11, there is shown an exploded view of the foodstorage system 30 having four food containers 19. As shown in FIG. 11,each of the rear telescopic fastening mechanism 4 and the fronttelescopic fastening mechanism 5 comprises a telescopic housing having athinner portion in the form of a finger housing 14 and a thicker portionin the form of a linear rack 15. The linear rack 15 comprises aplurality of holes 34, a locking mechanism in the form of a pivotablefinger 12 or 13 having an anchor 35 for engaging the holes 34 of thelinear rack 15, and a release mechanism 2 or 3 for releasing the anchor35 from the holes 34 of the linear rack 15. The holes 34 of the linearrack 15 prevent linear movement of the pivotable finger 12 or 13 whenthe anchor 35 is engaged in one of the plurality of holes 34. The linearrack 15 further comprises two sidewalls 36 facing each other on oppositesides of the plurality of holes 34.

Each of the rear telescopic fastening mechanism 4 and the fronttelescopic fastening mechanism 5 further comprises a finger housing 14having a hollow interior for receiving at least a portion of thepivotable finger 12 or 13. The finger housing 14 is sized to fit betweenthe two sidewalls 36 of the linear rack 15 and is configured to slidewith respect to the linear rack 15. Each of the rear telescopicfastening mechanism 4 and the front telescopic fastening mechanism 5 canbe shortened or lengthened by sliding the finger housing 14 with respectto the linear rack 15.

The bottom receptacle 6 comprises a bottom base 18, a bottom plate 20,and a plurality of screws for fastening the bottom plate 20 18 to thebottom base 18.

Referring again to FIG. 10, the handle 1 has an opening 37 for receivinga projection 38 extending outwardly from the finger 13 on an oppositeend of the finger 13 from the anchor 35. The handle 1 further has acatch 39 positioned near the opening 37 for releasably engaging theprojection 38 when the projection 38 is received in the opening 37. Forthe front telescopic fastening mechanism 5, the release mechanism 2 isconfigured to release both the anchor 35 from the holes 34 of the linearrack 15 and the projection 38 from the catch 39.

The release mechanism 2 comprises a spring-biased button 9 configured topivot both the anchor 35 and the projection 38 about a central pivot 40when pressed. The button 9 is housed within a button housing 8 attachedvia a button locking slider 10 at the top end 26 of the front telescopicfastening mechanism 5. Pressing the button 9 pivots the projection 38 ofthe finger 13 away from the catch 39 of the handle 1, whilesimultaneously pivoting the anchor of the finger 13 out of one of theplurality of holes 34 of the linear rack 15. The finger housing 14 maythen be slid upwardly or downwardly with respect to the linear rack 15in order to increase or decrease the length of the front telescopicfastening mechanism 5.

The bottom end 23 of the rear telescopic fastening mechanism 4 ispivotably attached to the bottom receptacle 6. The bottom end 25 of thefront telescopic fastening mechanism 5 is also pivotably attached to thebottom receptacle 6. The top end 24 of the rear telescopic fasteningmechanism 4 is pivotably attached to the handle 1. The top end 26 of thefront telescopic fastening mechanism 5 is removably couplable to thehandle 1. The handle 1 comprises a release mechanism 3 having aprojection 41 configured to engage an end of the pivotable finger 12,opposite the anchor 35, for pivoting the pivotable finger 12 about acentral pivot 42 and releasing the anchor 35 from the holes 34 of thelinear rack 15 when the handle 1 is pivoted with respect to the reartelescopic fastening mechanism 4. The finger housing 14 may then be slidupwardly or downwardly with respect to the linear rack 15 in order toincrease or decrease the length of the rear telescopic fasteningmechanism 4. The anchor 35 of the pivotable finger 12 is biased towardthe holes 34 of the linear rack 15 by a spring 11 within the fingerhousing 14.

In operation, 2-4 food containers 19 are filled with food and thencovered with the internal lids 16. The covered food containers 19 arethen stacked one on top of the other atop the base receptacle 6. Next,the rear fastening mechanism 4 and the front fastening mechanism 5 arepivoted upright with respect to the base receptacle 6, so that thefastening mechanisms 4 and 5 are positioned next to the stacked foodcontainers 19.

If needed, the lengths of the rear fastening mechanism 4 and the frontfastening mechanism 5 are adjusted by sliding the finger housing 14 withrespect to the linear rack 15. For the rear fastening mechanism 4,pivoting the handle 1 will press the projection 41 of the handle 1against the finger 12, disengaging the anchor 35 of the finger 12 fromone of the plurality of holes 34 in the linear rack 15. For the frontfastening mechanism 5, pressing the button 9 will push the finger 13 sothat the anchor 35 disengages from one of the plurality of holes 34. Thefinger housing 14 can then be slid with respect to the linear rack 15 toadjust the lengths of the fastening mechanisms 4 and 5. Once the lengthsof the rear fastening mechanism 4 and the front fastening mechanism 5are properly adjusted for the number of stacked food containers 19, thehandle 1 and the top lid 17 can be pivoted over the topmost foodcontainer 19 and secured to the front fastening mechanism 5 by theprojection 38 of the finger 13 extending through the opening 37 in thehandle 1 and engaging the catch 39.

To release the stacked food containers 19, the button 9 is pressed,which pivots the projection 39 of the finger 13 out of engagement withthe catch 38 of the handle 1. The handle 1 and the top lid 7 are thenpivoted away from the topmost food container 19 so that all of foodcontainers 19 can be accessed.

FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C are different views of another embodiment of astorage system 100. The system 100 is for use in connection with foodtransportation, storage, and portioning. In some embodiments, the foodstorage system 100 may comprise a top lid 102, a plurality of internallids 104, a plurality of containers 106, a bottom receptacle 108, afastening mechanism 110, and/or other elements. The overall size (e.g.,thickness/girth, length, or other dimensions), form, and/or shape of thesystem can vary amongst different embodiments.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show structural details of an exemplary top lid 102.The top lid 102 may comprise a handle 202, a projection 204, a ceiling206, a sidewall 208, a ledge (not shown), and/or other components. Thehandle 202 may be affixed to the exterior surfaces of the ceiling 206,making it easy to grasp. The ceiling 206 has a perimeter that may beattached to the sidewall 208, which extends downward from the perimeterof the ceiling 206. In order to engage the fastening mechanism 110, thetop lid 102 may include the projection 204 and the ledge, both extendingoutwardly from sidewall 208, across from each other.

FIG. 14 shows structural details of an exemplary internal lid 104. Insome embodiments, each internal lid 104 may comprise a rim portion 302,a concave central portion 304, a tab 306, and/or other components. Theinternal lid 104 fits onto the bottom of a container 106 above it, sothat the tab is received within the convex central portion of thecontainer. In this in-use configuration, the lid 104 would cover andclose off the opening of the container 106 to seal it.

FIGS. 15A-15D illustrate different views of an exemplary embodiment of acontainer 106. As seen in FIG. 15A, the container 106 may comprise afloor 402, a sidewall 404, and/or other components. FIG. 15B provides atop view of the floor 402 of the container 106. The floor 402 maycomprise a perimeter 412 and a central portion 414. As shown in FIG.15C, the interior surface 414 is convex to allow the container toreceive the tab of the interior lid 104 when the containers are stacked.The sidewall 404 may comprise a collar 422 and a rib 424, as seen inFIGS. 15C and 15D. The collar 422 may project outwardly from a topportion of the sidewall 404, with the collar 422 defining a ledge on thetop portion of the sidewall 404. The rib 424 may also project outwardlyfrom the sidewall 404, below the collar. The floor 402 of a firstcontainer 106 is configured to fit within the collar 422, therebyresting on the ledge of another container 106, and the rib 422 isconfigured to rest upon a top portion of the sidewall 404 of anothercontainer 106, so that multiple containers can be stackable together.

FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a bottom receptacle 108.The bottom receptacle 108 may comprise a floor 502, a sidewall 504,projections 506, and/or other components. The floor 502 of the bottomreceptacle 108 may be configured to house a container 106. Theprojections 506 may be configured to engage with the fastening mechanismto secure the stacked containers.

In some embodiments, the fastening mechanism 110 may comprise a linearrack 602 (FIG. 6), a pivotable finger 604 (FIG. 9), a release mechanism606 (FIG. 8A), a housing unit 616 (FIG. 7) and/or 618 (FIG. 8B), and/orother components. The linear rack 602 may comprise a plurality of teeth612 for engaging with a pivotable finger 604. The plurality of teeth 612have an oblique surface and a substantially horizontal surface, twosidewalls 614 facing each other, and/or other components. The pivotablefinger 604 has an oblique surface and a substantially horizontal surfaceat one end. The plurality of teeth 612 prevent movement of the pivotablefinger 604 in a direction that would increase the length of thefastening mechanism 110, when the two are coupled. The housing unit 616has a hollow interior 622 for receiving at least a portion of the linearrack 602 and at least a portion of the pivotable finger 604. The housingunit 618 has a hollow interior 628 for receiving at least a portion ofthe linear rack 602 and at least a portion of the pivotable finger 604;a recess 626 for receiving a projection 204 extending outwardly from atop lid 102; and a pivotable catch for engaging the projection when thesame is received within the recess.

In some embodiments, the fastening mechanism 110 may be pivotablycoupled to the bottom receptacle 108. In some embodiments, the fasteningmechanism 110 may further be coupled to the top lid 102. The fasteningmechanism 110 may be permanently coupled to the top lid 102. Thefastening mechanism 110 may also be removably coupled to top lid 102.

The release mechanism 606 may comprise a spring-biased button to pivotthe pivotable finger 604 when pressed, releasing both the pivotablefinger 604 from the teeth of the linear rack 602 and the catch from theprojection 204. The spring-biased button may be a torsion spring and/orany other type of spring.

Although the disclosed technology is described above in terms of variousexemplary embodiments and embodiments, it should be understood that thevarious features, aspects and functionality described in one or more ofthe individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to theparticular embodiment with which they are described, but instead can beapplied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the otherembodiments of the disclosed technology, whether or not such embodimentsare described and whether or not such features are presented as being apart of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of thetechnology disclosed herein should not be limited by any of theabove-described exemplary embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A food storage system comprising: a bottomreceptacle; a plurality of stackable containers, a bottommost one of theplurality of stackable containers configured to be at least partiallyreceived within the bottom receptacle; a handle configured to extendover a topmost one of the plurality of stackable containers; and afastening mechanism having a bottom end coupled to the bottom receptacleand a top end coupled to the top lid; wherein a length of the fasteningmechanism is adjustable so that a spacing between the bottom receptacleand the handle is adjustable.
 2. The food storage system of claim 1,wherein each of the plurality of stackable containers comprises: a floorhaving a perimeter portion and a sunken central portion; a sidewallextending upwardly from the perimeter portion of the floor; and aremovable lid having a rim portion and a recessed central portion;wherein the sunken central portion is configured to fit within therecessed central portion of the lid of an adjacent container, while theperimeter portion rests upon the rim portion of the lid of the adjacentcontainer.
 3. The food storage system of claim 1, wherein the fasteningmechanism comprises: a first fastening portion having a bottom endcoupled to the bottom receptacle and a top end pivotably coupled to thehandle; and a second fastening portion opposite the first fasteningportion and having a bottom end coupled to the bottom receptacle and atop end removably couplable to the handle.
 4. The food storage system ofclaim 3, wherein the second fastening portion comprises a pivotablefinger that removably couples the top end of the second fasteningportion to the handle.
 5. The food storage system of claim 4, whereinthe top end of the second fastening portion further comprises a releasemechanism configured to pivot the pivotable finger out of engagementwith the handle so that the handle can be pivoted away from the secondfastening portion.
 6. The food storage system of claim 1, furthercomprising a plurality of internal lids; wherein each of the pluralityof internal lids comprises a rim portion, and a sunken central portionconfigured to receive a bottom portion of an immediately adjacentcontainer.
 7. The food storage system of claim 1, wherein the fasteningmechanism comprises: a linear rack comprising a plurality of holes; anda pivotable finger having an anchor for engaging the plurality of holesof the linear rack; wherein plurality of holes of the linear rackprevent linear movement of the pivotable finger with respect to thelinear rack when the anchor is engaged in one of the plurality of holes.8. The food storage system of claim 7, further comprising a releasemechanism for releasing the anchor from the plurality of holes of thelinear rack.
 9. The food storage system of claim 7, wherein the linearrack further comprises two sidewalls facing each other on opposite sidesof the plurality of holes.
 10. The food storage system of claim 9,wherein, the fastening mechanism further comprises a finger housinghaving a hollow interior for receiving at least a portion of thepivotable finger, the finger housing being is sized to fit between thetwo sidewalls of the linear rack and configured to slide with respect tothe linear rack.
 11. The food storage system of claim 10, wherein thefastening mechanism can be shortened or lengthened by sliding the fingerhousing with respect to the linear rack.
 12. The food storage system ofclaim 7, wherein the handle comprises: an opening for receiving aprojection extending outwardly from the finger on an opposite end of thefinger from the anchor; and a catch positioned near the opening forreleasably engaging the projection when the projection is received inthe opening.
 13. The food storage system of claim 12, further comprisinga release mechanism configured to release both the anchor from theplurality of holes of the linear rack and the projection from the catch.14. The food storage system of claim 13, wherein the release mechanismcomprises a spring-biased button.
 15. The food storage system of claim14, wherein the spring-biased button is configured to pivot both theanchor and the projection about a central pivot on the pivotable fingerwhen pressed.
 16. The food storage system of claim 14, wherein thespring-biased button comprises a torsion spring.
 17. The food storagesystem of claim 1, wherein the bottom end of the fastening mechanism ispivotably attached to the bottom receptacle.
 18. The food storage systemof claim 1, wherein the fastening mechanism comprises: a first fasteningportion having a bottom end coupled to the bottom receptacle and a topend pivotably coupled to the handle; and a second fastening portionopposite the first fastening portion and having a bottom end coupled tothe bottom receptacle and a top end removably couplable to the handle;wherein the first fastening portion comprises a linear rack comprising aplurality of holes, and a pivotable finger comprising an anchor at afirst end for engaging the plurality of holes of the linear rack. 19.The food storage system of claim 18, wherein the handle comprises aprojection configured to engage a second end of the pivotable finger,opposite the first end, for pivoting the pivotable finger about an axisand releasing the anchor from the plurality holes of the linear rackwhen the handle is pivoted with respect to the first fastening portion.